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When the very first frequent flyer programs were launched, they allowed passengers loyal to a specific airline to save up miles and redeem them for free flights and upgrades. Today, tickets and upgrades are just some of the rewards you can earn with the MileagePlus program from United Airlines. Today there are so many ways to earn miles and choices for how to redeem them that it makes the first groundbreaking program seem simplistic. In fact, some customers spend years collecting and redeeming miles for rewards and never even leave the ground.

How to Earn Miles

When the program first started, MileagePlus miles could be earned only by flying. Today, you can earn miles more ways without flying than by taking to the air. United offers ways for you to earn points through other travel segments, such as hotel stays, car rentals and even train and cruise tickets. Banks offer credit cards that award miles for every dollar spent, and Internet retailers have similar programs for online shopping. There are even banks and utility providers that offer rewards for everyday expenses, as well as a specialized division for small-business owners to earn points for their companies.

Redeem Miles for Travel

When it comes to air travel, there are two ways to redeem miles: buy an airline ticket or upgrade a ticket you already have. Upgrades, of course, use fewer miles than full tickets do, and the amount of miles each will cost depends on the destination flight, distance from your home airport and even the time of year in which you fly. Depending on the amount of miles you've earned, you can buy a ticket in coach for a short flight, upgrade a longer flight to first class or even fly business class all the way around the world. After you arrive at your destination, you can also redeem miles to pay for participating hotel rooms and rental cars, making it possible to earn a nearly cost-free vacation.

Other Rewards for Miles

Not everyone wants to travel, or feels like waiting until they've saved up enough miles for a flight or ticket upgrade. MileagePlus auctions give you a fun way to have a chance of picking up a fabulous life experience, from winery tours in Europe to tickets to major-league sporting events. Virtual shopping sites allow you to buy smaller items such as music downloads and gift cards toward larger purchases like luggage, jewelry and cameras. From magazine subscriptions to dinner out, the ways to spend your miles have moved far beyond a simple plane flight.

Drawbacks

While frequent flyer programs may seem simple and convenient, there can be drawbacks to each side of the transaction. Credit cards that offer miles for every dollar spent may charge an annual fee that equals the cash value of the miles, or may be at a higher interest rate than other cards at the same bank. When redeeming miles for flights, blackout dates may prevent you from flying when you need to, and if first class id filled up on a flight, you can't upgrade your coach seat. Some people may even get obsessed with racking up the miles to get a free flight, spending more money in the long run than the flight or upgrade may cost on its own. If it's something you're going to buy anyway, getting points is a bargain, but buying something just for the points doesn't equal getting something for free.

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About the Author

Working in sunny Florida, Anne Baley has been writing professionally since 2009. Her home and lifestyle articles have been seen on Coldwell Banker and Gardening Know How. Baley has published a series of books teaching how to live a frugal life with style and panache.